Stop waiting for the big break

How to ACTUALLY become a successful Creative Entrepreneur

I have filled this post to the brim with both philosophical and practical perspectives on success as an entrepreneur and creative. I write this as a creative and entrepreneurial mother who has felt not only emotional and spiritual success in these realms but also generated hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars through an intuitively guided relationship to creativity.

If you don’t have space to read right now, set a reminder on your phone and come back once the kids are asleep, with a cup of tea and enjoy!

Love Kat.

I woke up and read through a big creator on the internet last year.

The general interpretation was about “why your book won’t be read by many” or essentially why you can’t expect to be a “fluke” successful creative, some get lucky with big deals and big publishing/marketing strategies. The rest of us, settle for the fulfilment of getting our words at the very least, out of our head. Our offerings, onto paper. Serving a handful of people in our communities through our work.

The article, though very well written and researched… had me feeling, kinda dull.

The sort of dull you feel when you‘ve consumed something that isn’t in resonance with your body or your knowing.

I could appreciate her “realism” and essentially helping people come back into their lane as a writer or creative and enjoying the process of the word, rather than striving for a big break so to speak.

Though, honestly, I much prefer optimism. There’s a lot of “heady” stuff out there in the world. But I prefer to play with spirit when it comes to our creative endeavours.

Kat River by Wildfire Creative

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** Before we begin, I need to pop in here really quickly to tell you that there is only 2.5 DAYS LEFT until The Art Of Alchemy doors close - Forever.
This is my signature LIVE 12 week journey for the mother makers into the energetic worlds of business and creativity, and embracing a mother centric approach to business (No girl boss hustle culture here).

These perspectives are leading a new way for mothers where we don’t have to bend into patriarchal culture, and don’t have to abandon our motherhood to be taken seriously.

We can stay connected to intuition, spirit, and creativity while bringing our offerings to the world.

I am NOT running this course again. This is our *stunning* last dance with over 100 mothers in this round alone.

If you haven’t prioritised taking a look at the landing page and full module write up - now is the time. There are payment plans available if you decide you do want to grab your broomstick and meet us at the cauldron.

Love Kat

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So I’d love to write about being a creative today. Especially if a part of your dream is to have a career as a creative (And no, I don’t mean the arts. To me, being a podcaster, a coach, an author, an artist, a event creator, a yogi, a musician, a therapist, entrepreneur, a workshop or circle facilitator… or any profession that requires creative and out of the box thinking, and rendezvousing with the intelligence of creative energy.)… how to help that happen for yourself rather than waiting for that fantasy of a “big break”.

Whether you’re a writer, an artist, a musician, an entrepreneur, a space crafter, home maker, whatever is your form.

Most of us do it because we love it.

Because we have to.

Because we feel kinda dead inside when we don’t.

We write because we’d go insane with words spinning in our minds.

We sing because it’s cathartic.

We paint otherwise we can’t see beyond the picture in our minds eye.

If anything many of our creative pursuits are initially selfish. It’s a way of self preservation. Pulling something from inside of us, kinda sorta making sense of it, then out and into reality.

It’s a process that can be addictive, deep, reflective and also often simply fun and liberating.

I don’t just see being a creative as the arts. Though growing up I did. I was told also that if you surrender your life to the arts… you’ll likely be broke.

The starving artist.

As an adult I absolutely see how business, hosting events, curating a course, public speaking, crafting an experience, can all be creative pursuits if done in the energy of a creative. Anything we do, when done with artistry, is this.

Today I’ll speak more to the arts, but know that there is space for many in the world of a creative. Simply replace the words you need to, to help it be more relevant to you.

The starving artist- an archetype built from decades ago, when perhaps, it WAS more realistic to get a reliable job for income and keep the art as a hobby. “Don’t quit your day job” and “keep your head in the real world.” Artistic success, was for the lucky few who could actually get paid to live into this self expression. Often picked up by someone who spotted talent, or got some sort of big break.

I wholeheartedly believe that the starving artist archetype does NOT have to exist in todays world. Where social media exists, or even just the internet alone, there are so many ways for financial resources to find artists. So many more people generating income, who also value art. Ways to reach people like NEVER before. Art, in many ways- is seen as a valid choice instead of a pipe dream (if you connect in with the right community and evironments…)

HOWEVER I do also believe many creatives are still living in an old paradigm of art. Where there’s a romanticism about the grind. A secret fantasy that someone important, some where, will find what we create and send it out into the world for us, So that we can get paid to make art. Or be seen in out greatness.

That someone - somewhere may save us, from the starvation that we’ve subscribed to, The self sacrifice of the secret selfish artist. That someone else will simply come along and validate what we do, because to journey our inner worlds, and validate it ourselves, and choose to be seen, & put our creations out there fully- feels like a lot.

Look, I’m with you on the fantasies of sitting in a big beautiful lake house one day, pouring my coffee, bare feet on the floor, sitting at my laptop and writing, uninterrupted, for hours. Being in my creative genius. God, it turns me on.

Perhaps yours is in a sunroom filled with flowers with your canvas, Or on stage in front of thousands at private garden gig, singing the words of your heart.

And you know what - I don’t believe they are fantasies. Not for a second do I think they need to remain at the bottom of the pipe dream basket.

The very essence of BEING a creative is also the essence of being attuned to the possibility.That’s the optimism right? The ability to dream ourselves into a vision, and close the gap…

Though I don’t think that someone else will take us there entirely, there is absolutely always that potential if we throw ourselves into the arena. It’s a co creation, With our vision for ourselves as a creative, Our willingness to work with and pivot with the identity of an artist. Our faith in the spirit of our work, trusting our journey, dancing with our ability to make bad art, and our intentions for success and what that means to each of us personally & our relationship to that process.

So, This article I was reading, rooted in realism, I genuinely throw no shade towards. I do believe parts of realism towards the creative success it right. I agree with her speaking into that many of us “artists” will never be successful in the sense of making millions. But the reason I agree with that is because many artists aren’t interested in turning their art into a career. They are more that happy to keep it as a hobby, a wind down, a self processing, an expression, a fun exploration.

Some, maybe want to cover their rent and bills so that they can do said hobby more often without the weird world of “jobs” and “surviving” taking over their creative process.

And some, like me - want to build a career through their art. Though… many of us who want that… still won’t make it happen for ourselves. Perhaps it’s a fear of

“if I claim it, and throw myself into the abyss, and it doesn’t work… then every person who ever believes in the starving artist can say I told you so. And I’d have to do a walk of shame back to a like of creative death and mediocre living”

I’d love to share my take on why that is, and what you can do about it so that you have a better chance at finding your way there.

I’ve made hundreds of thousands ($) within my creative processes over the years AND I’ve made art simply for arts sake. I’ve given art for free and I’ve been paid for it. Sometimes in the form of paintings, or writings, poetry or photos. Sometimes in the way I teach and share, in the way I’ve curated spaces and experiences for people. In the way I homemake and especially in the way I mother.

The first shift I had to have, in cultivating a creative career…

(which is evolving and changing all the time. It’s a beautiful process and honestly, one I feel proud of and excited to be apart of)

Was admitting to myself That I actually wanted to have a creative career, and that my writing or my art in whatever form - wasn’t just a hobby or a fantasy or a self exploration.

I wanted it Badly.

Not desperately, But it lit my insides up more than anything else, And my job was to follow that pull.

I even had to admit this after 20K launches… still treating things like a hobby.

It also scared me more than anything else because, well, art is vulnerable. It’s vulnerable because we infuse ourselves into it like letting the loose leaf tea sit in the pot, all my colours go into it. My flavours throughout. It was also scary because VALUING being an artist/ writer/ creative in a world that really, genuinely doesn’t….. is raw.

It’s why I love a home like Substack.

Where writers come because they value it and everyone else comes to read and hang out because they do too. Like a buzzing coffee shop filled with creatives. Bookshelves filled with quality, open couches and quiet corners, and the other end of the room, tabled filled with creatives chatting on collaborations or simply hyping each other up because theres a resonance. Readers getting a chance for more intimate encounters with stories they love. There’s a safety here.

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Here’s something I wrote On may 17th, 2021. Almost 4 years ago.

“Today I was asked on two occasions what I do for work.

The first time, I stumbled in my mind for a hot second as "I work in the self development space and with relationships" is no longer where I'm at....

I was about to reply "oh well, nothing right now. Full time mum life."

But I was interrupted by a screaming son of mine as he fast approached a set of steps and I ran after him.

In between the first time and second time I wondered if I could say I'm a writer yet. Like, what counts as a writer?

I mean, I write every single day, I love it, it's something I can't not do.... I've not published a book, but I also make my own rules so, I decided next time someone asked, l'd say I'm a mother AND I'm a writer. It made me sweaty to think about.

Of course, I was asked again, only 5 minutes later. I started with mother.

Writer still got stuck on my tongue and before it left my mouth she BEAMED and said "OH! So you're a director of humanity, raising the next generation"

With a sparkle in her eye.

I like that.

Director of humanity.

Mother. First and foremost.

The biggest job I've ever been blessed with * and one where socks and burks with trackies are the dress code”

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I wanted to share it with you because four years ago it felt incredibly uncomfortable to claim myself outside of motherhood. I had willingly let go of a lot of my work and career from my pre-motherhood days, and I so, so badly wanted to KNOW MYSELF as an artist/writer/creative.

I went offline for 6 weeks at the time and read every book on creativity and artistry I could find. Alongside podcasts and just let myself sink into the identity of that, without expectations… or eyes on me.

It was a mid twenties life crisis.

Though one I welcomed. It was during that time, I claimed myself as an artist. As a writer more specifically.

Which has me wanting to discuss the point of identity when it comes to being an artist.

A creative. Whatever “yours” is.

Have you claimed it for yourself?

I AM a …… *fill in the blank*

Especially from the energy of a career - if that’s what you want.

If someone were to ask you, would it get stuck on your tongue or flow naturally. Would it cause a tightening in your body, and have the little voice in the back of your mind panic as if you’ve told a lie and are about to be found out?

This, I believe is a HUGE aspect in crafting a creative career, Because if we can’t even admit what we want and who we are we’ll stay starving. This is a shift that is required of us. It can take time. But once you can feel settled in the fact that you’re a writer, an artist, a creative, BOTH publicly and privately, Only THEN do you truly begin to embody that and move a career forward.

I ask myself often If I took my art seriously, what would I do? What would my next step be.

If I really believed in my writing, How far would I go?

Am I waiting to be saved? How am I willing to show up for my career? Because it’s different when it’s a hobby compared to when it’s something that you want to be your legacy, a way to thrive in this world… Here were some of my personal reflections. Yours may be different.

If I took my art seriously, I’d claim it. I’d let people know me as a writer even if I’ve never shown anyone. Though I’d also… show people. I’d work through my discomfort of being seen and judged. Because if I took my art seriously, I’d take myself seriously. And if I take myself seriously others would too. It’s as though they can sense the wobbles… If I’m not firmly two feet on the ground with this. But they can sense my sturdiness of knowing who I am and what I do, If I let myself root into the ground.

If I really believed in my writing, I’d leave behind the archetype of the starving artist. I’d face off with my judgements of selling. Of promoting, And get real with the fact that it’s simply a part of life now. We sell ourselves or we sell someone else. It’s simple. I’d expand my skill set, I’d learn new ways. I’d take the time to learn a new platform (like Substack for example) And let myself SINK INTO the newness of learning and expanding. If I believed in my writing, and was willing to show up for my career…. I’d write, each day. Even just notes. I’d insert myself into the writing community, Confidently, and be ready to be a student. I’d watch and wittness what others do, not to replicated but to observe. I’d listen to those I have resonance with. I’d challenge myself. I’d network. A lot. I’d build connections and MAKE myself KNOWN within the community. I would not settle I would not stay in quiet creation. I’d trust the journey and remove expectations.

My art, at its core, is mine And I know that. I’d wake up each day and do it anyway.

I’d allow next steps to whisper to me. I’d follow the nudges. I’d trust that my art/ and my career as an artist Has a life of its own. I am part of that co creation. So I’d show up and do the thing. I’d use my creative mind to find other ways of having my art reach people. Find ways to collaborate, there are many paths to Rome. There are also many ways on each path I could try. I’ll try them all. I’d find ways to expand, to also - very importantly HAVE FUN.

Our identity as an artist is important.

I’m the sort of artist who______ fill in the blank with what naturally comes to mind.

Then when you envision the version of you who is fully embodied in their creative career, receiving opportunities, being known, stealing quiet moments, or indulging in spacious ones, to create, having the life force pulse through…

When you envision THAT version…. Do they say the same thing?

I’m the sort of artist who____

Or do they say something else?

For me it was originally

I’m the sort of artist who makes art for fun

I’m the sort of artist who enjoys other peoples art

I’m the sort of artists who doesn’t like asking to be paid

I’m the sort of artist who is above other artists because I am willing to do art for arts sake and don’t do it for others (lollll)

I’m the sort of artist who needs another job

I’m the sort of artist who doesn’t have time for my art.

I’m the sort of artist who doesn’t totally take it seriously.

I’m the sort of artist who doesn’t follow through.

Though the version of myself in my mind who has become a successful writer (in a bougee cottage in the Italian countryside perhaps?) She says

I’m the sort of artist who prioritises time to create and make and write.

I’m the sort of artist who has strong boundaries around ideas, stays committed to the bigger vision and can easily avoid distraction

I’m the sort of artist who gets involved in the creative community, feels valued for my voice there and connected with other creatives

I’m the sort of artist who both teaches and learns at the same time

I’m the sort of artist who stays in my own lane, connected to my own vision and enchanted by my own work.

I’m the sort of artist who gets paid incredibly well to show up in my genius.

I’m the sort of artist who feels acknowledged for her work, time, energy and effort.

I’m the sort of artist who is willing to make bad art, and trust the process into my best work.

I’m the sort of artist who confidently can say to anyone “I’m a writer, author, and creative” to anyone who would ask.

How does that feel in the body? It’s worth writing out your own lists too. See if there’s a gap. Ask yourself and your vision, What do you ask of me to help close that gap.

I find that a crucial part of this puzzle is being held in a community that believe in you.
Whether that be in person or online. It’s important to make the effort to put yourself in there. I say in there, not out there, because we could throw ourselves “out there” into a group of anyone and everyone, or we could throw ourselves “in there” to a very specific group of people who already value what we have made.

Otherwise we get bound by the expectations others have of us, If their values aren’t aligned And we’ve lived into those expectations for long enough, It can feel “too big” to change.

We are required to change when we want our lives to change.

So, Stop waiting to be a “real artist” “real writer” “real photographer/musician/creative” etc Because the SECOND you create art and truthfully, even when you’re not creating art… you ARE a real XYZ. You are valid, It’s already you

But you must reflect on if you simply want it for yourself, or as a hobby, or as a career. And be clear on what “success as an artist” means for you. It’s so wildly different for us all.

Decide Then claim

Then begin living into that version of yourself.

Another helpful process in the embodiment of an artist for me was acknowledging all the ways in which I was a creative, rather than just the career side.

The way I mother

The way I make love

The way I homemake

The way I think

The way I problem solve

The way I channel ideas for others

The way I move my body when I dance Etc

The more evidence I stacked up that I was a creative woman, that artistry was simply how I lived my life….. The more I believed I could ALSO create a thriving career as an artist because it was simply who I was, not just what I did.

I do believe, to some extent That we also have to remove ourselves from our art. Almost like a three part process

Acknowledge the vulnerability of art BECAUSE it comes from within us.

Claim the artist, the thriving artist, BECAUSE WE CAN and the world has changed, and there is SO much available to us here.

Then SET IT ALL FREE, and separate ourselves FROM our art.

The book you wrote, came from you but is not you.

The song you sing was birthed from your heart, though exists in the world beyond you now.

We have to do this because we, inevitably grow and change, a lot.

If we feel too linked to what we make, the second we feel like we’ve outgrown it, We can feel embarrassed by it, or like we need to remove it as it’s not an accurate representation of who we are now.

Our art is not a representation of who we are, It is a time stamp, a moment in time where we were working with ourselves, creatively exploring. We made something. Birthed it in the world. We, the human being, moved on.

Like birthing a child. They are not us, though they came from us. We can be proud of who they are and we will never be the exact woman who birthed them. Instead, we grow and change and morph. We wittness them with love.

The way we martyr

The way we cling

The way we helicopter parent

The way we amesh

The way we disconnect or over connect

Can all be reflected in our artistic expressions also and our relationships to our creativity. The same expectations we hold for ourself as mothers is OFTEN mirrored in the expectations we hold for ourselves as creatives. Isn’t it interesting.

The realism of being a creative is that not everyone will make money doing so.

But that’s not the problem - as many know that’s not their path to walk.

For those who strive for creative careers, please, Don’t wait for a publishing company to say yes. But apply anyway.

Don’t wait for a scout to see your talent as you busk, but reach out and pitch yourself anyway,

Don’t wait for a brand to ask you for a collaboration for your drawings, but network and share you ideas anyway.

Don’t wait for someone to see your gifts before you see it for yourself, but still show people anyway.

Stand in the embodiment of a creative. You are you. And you make art. Yes, You co-create with a vision. Dance with it. Have fun with it. Let it guide you. Show up for it.

When people tell you It’s child’s play… Ground your feet on the earth and say “thank god”because adults play seems like boring work.

know that it’s part of your job to flirt with possibility and claim it for yourself.

That your journey may be a slow burn or may be a wild fire. Stay in your lane. Let your creative pursuits morph with you. Don’t cling to only, financial success but reconnect with the devotion of the artist to her craft. The obsession. The delicious inquiry. Find people. Network. Confidently place yourself in environments that are relevant and see you. FIND people who are doing what you want to be doing and learn from them, talk to them, and translate it for your own self. Connect with yourself, your vulnerability and make true art. That comes from your stories, your mashup of experiences and spirit and soul. Trust that some of your art just wants to be made. Some of it wants to be paid.

Face off with limiting stories and identities that keep you fearful of being an artist and birthing new worlds. Be seen. Be IN your Enjoyment. Art can make others uncomfortable, Do it anyway. Enrol others into your vision. Share it boldly. Involve your community into your process. Grow with them.

Lots of love Kat

PS Don’t forget to go check out The Art Of Alchemy Before doors close! We start on Thursday (AUSTRALIA TIME)

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